A software engineer named Christina Ernst designed an animatronic ‘Ratatouille’ Halloween costume equipped with a functional robot, Remy.

Software engineer designed a fully functional robotic Remy; Photo: Christina Ernst
Software engineer designed a fully functional robotic Remy; Photo: Christina Ernst.

Known on TikTok as @shebuildsrobots, Ernst creates what she calls “wearable tech” that combines fashion with technological prowess.

“I like things that are whimsical, things that look more magical than technical,” stated Ernst.

This year, she was inspired by the 2007 Disney/Pixar film Ratatouille, which involved a culinary-minded rat who hides beneath a chef’s hat and directs his cooking by tugging on his hair to move his limbs like a puppet.

To complete her costume, Ernst designed a fully functional animatronic of the rat chef using 3D printing, tiny motors, and coding. Ernst cataloged the project’s progress on her website and TikTok channel, where her followers could help by giving her tips, such as coding the robot to mirror her arm movements.

“For me, the most meaningful comments are when people say, ‘I’m a high school senior and this convinced me to study engineering in school.’  That is so rewarding. And that cancels out everything else.” stated Ernst.

Ernst designed her first “wearable tech” piece when she attended a Hackathon in college and wore a Bluetooth-controlled, light-up, color-changing dress.

“I was blown by how many girls and young women were coming up to the table and saying, ‘I have absolutely no technical coding background but I want to learn specifically so I can make this dress – can you teach me?’” says Ernst. “And that was a lightbulb moment for me.”

With today’s technology, such as 3D printers and laser cutters, Ernst is also designing a wearable tech dress inspired by Chicago’s history. The piece will be displayed in the Chicago Public Library’s windows during the season.

The project has even garnered the attention of Patton Oswalt, the actor who voiced Remy in the original film. He posted his reaction on X.

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